How Yikvot, a Kashmiri language preservation platform, hopes to help youth take to the language

According to Scroll.in, a new digital initiative called Yikvot is aiming to revitalize the Kashmiri language among the region's younger generation. Founded in 2023 by Seerat Hafiz, the platform serves as a dedicated space for language preservation, offering resources and engagement tools designed to make the Kashmiri language more accessible and appealing to youth who may be losing touch with their linguistic roots.

The platform's emergence comes amid growing concerns among linguists and cultural observers regarding the decline of native languages in the face of increasing globalization and the dominance of English and Hindi in educational and professional spheres. Hafiz notes that the project is not merely about archiving the language, but about fostering a living, breathing environment where young people feel empowered to communicate in their mother tongue.

By leveraging digital tools, Yikvot hopes to bridge the gap between traditional Kashmiri literature and modern digital consumption habits. The initiative highlights a broader trend of grassroots efforts in India to document and promote regional languages through technology. As the platform continues to develop, Hafiz and her team aim to expand their reach, hoping to integrate more interactive content that encourages daily usage of the language among Kashmiri speakers.